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Effects of Pork Protein on Recovery Following Simulated Fireground Activity

Sam Houston State University · with National Pork Board · NCT07819565

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 18–60 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
20
US sites recruiting
2
Study start
June 1, 2026
Record last updated
September 15, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether consuming pork-based protein before and after physically demanding simulated firefighting activities can improve recovery, physical performance, and cognitive performance in healthy adult firefighters. The study will also compare pork-based protein meals with plant-based protein meals and a carbohydrate-focused control condition.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

Does consuming pork-based protein reduce changes in markers of muscle damage, physiological stress, and muscle soreness following a simulated fire ground test?

Does consuming pork-based protein help maintain or improve physical and cognitive performance during recovery compared with plant-based protein and a carbohydrate-focused control condition?

Researchers will compare three ready-to-eat meal conditions: pork-based protein, plant-based protein, and a carbohydrate-focused control condition. Each participant will complete all three conditions in a randomized crossover design, with 14 to 21 days between conditions.

Being studied: Pork-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals; Plant-Based Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals; Carbohydrate-Focused Lower-Protein Ready-to-Eat Meals

Conditions: Exercise Recovery; Physical Performance Parameters; Muscle Damage; Cognition; Blood Biomarkers; Stress

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • 18 to 60 years of age
  • Current trained male or female firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
  • Able to comply with all study procedures and the study timeline
  • Willing to consume only the study-provided ready-to-eat meals (RTEM) during designated study periods
  • Willing to refrain from alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, and over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours before testing sessions
  • Available to complete the study visits and required testing procedures

Exclusion Criteria

  • Younger than 18 years or older than 60 years
  • Not a current firefighter with the Fort Worth Fire Department
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study
  • Orthopedic or musculoskeletal limitations that prevent safe completion of the vertical jump or simulated fire ground test
  • Use of weight-loss dietary supplements or medications within the previous 2 weeks
  • Unwilling to refrain from alcohol, NSAIDs, aspirin, or over-the-counter pain medications for 48 hours before testing sessions
  • Unwilling or unable to consume only the study-provided RTEM during designated study periods
  • Heavy smoking, defined as more than 1 pack of cigarettes per day during the previous 3 months
  • Allergy to any of the protein sources or study foods

Recruiting US locations

  • Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex Administration

    Fort Worth, TX 76115

    Site contact: Drew E Gonzalez, PhD · 2107888616 · drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu

  • Sam Houston State University

    Huntsville, TX 77340

    Site contact: Drew E Gonzalez, PhD · 2107888616 · drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Drew Edward Gonzalez, PhD · 2107888616 · drewgonzalez418@shsu.edu
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Effects of Pork Protein on Recovery Following Simulated Fireground… (NCT07819565) | Bored Studies